SANFORD — The annual Beat the Winteer Blues event, held March 30 at St. Ignatius Gym, saw More than 300 folks come out to play games, make crafts, enjoy and prepare healthy snacks and leave with a free book.

A Beat the Winter Blues had been a community event aimed at young people and their parents. Organizers say it exists to  inform families of all of the different opportunities in Sanford and Springvale for them to access in order to provide their children with a healthy, active life.

There were in the past there were visits from Clifford the Big Red Dog , Curious George,  Bruce D. Moose, and Boomer”from the Sanford Mainers.

Sharon Remick, one of the organizers, said favorite activities that have continued from year to year are: the obstacle course provided by the Families Read program; the Parks and Rec. game table; face painting by the Cadets from the Sanford Junior High and High School Police Cadet Program (under the supervision of Officer Skip Sheldon); and the Martial Arts demonstrations.  

This year three Reading Dogs with their handlers were there to listen to children read: Tony and Bosco; Barbara and Lilly and Chris and Lacey.

And there was a Maine author, David Arenstam, in attendance with copies of some of his books, so that he could talk with children and parents.  

This year’s entertainment performance was Ben Fogg and the Peanut Butter Problem.